It’s been a little bit of a blur, still trying to sort things out in terms of what kind of work I’m doing. But, poco a poco I’m figuring it out. Still. A bunch more has been lined up with the women’s group who makes all the products we sell at my association’s store so I’m excited for that.
If nothing else, just spending the time getting to know them makes coming here totally worth it. Spending time with Guatemalans, in general, makes everything worth the trip.
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Earlier this month I participated in a Medical Jornada as a translator.
A bunch of doctors, translators, and medical helpers came down on their vacation to help give free medicine, surgeries, etc. to many Guatemalans in the area. They actually do this all over Guatemala, among other projects. The group is called Helps International, if you’re interested in participating. I may look into it when I’m out of the Peace Corps—it was so amazing.
I spent half the week translating between doctors and patients, and I think the most gratifying part was being able to communicate on a level beyond just understanding the language. Having had the opportunity to learn the culture in a way that keeps me sensitive and understanding makes communicating with Guatemalans so rewarding. They’re the most openly loving culture—I’m so blessed to be here fostering my desire to be doing the same. (The Jornada group also fed us all week, food cooked by Americans. SO DELICIOUS, and so nice to have a taste of home).
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Yesterday I travelled to one of the other departments nearby to help a volunteer who’s just finished her two-year service give an HIV/AIDS workshop to some of the students she’s been working with.
I spent an entire afternoon doing activities and skits and sharing information with the high-school-aged students. Also an extremely rewarding day. I hope to be redoing this workshop several times throughout my two years—it’s exciting to see how well they learn, how interested they are, and that the information will carry on. I am thankful to be a part of spreading the word.
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My host mom, Sarita, had her baby on February 15th. He was TINY. His name is Nember Ismael Aguilar. SO CUTE. I look forward to watching him grow, learn to walk and talk… so exciting. She’s a happy mom.
Sarita & Nember.
Rosmil & Nember.
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As for my personal experience, I mentioned it’s been a blur. I can’t say it’s been easy, though there’s nothing about being here that makes me unhappy. I very much love it and feel almost completely at home. I just keep waiting for the day where my work will fall into place and I’ll know what kind of impact, in that regard, I will be leaving. I know it will come. I’m just a little impatient, I guess. Finding peace with food has also been a challenge, especially since I have a lot of time to myself. I’m doing work to get over this, and have enjoyed more and more getting up early in the morning to run. I have hit three miles, which still is no big consolation since I’m used to being able to do a whole lot more. But I have to keep reminding myself that asthma, altitude, and weight gain are making the rise a little bit slower. It is getting better though. Those mornings when I DO drag myself out of bed, I always feel so excellent about the day. The early morning “I really just love my bed too much to get out of it” is what challenges me. Getting there, though.
I have been able to learn a lot and practice a lot of awareness; there’ve been many lessons. Don’t hold yourself to so rigid a goal. Don’t let the things that worry you rule your day. Don’t worry so much. Remember what you want and remember that it is yours already. Remember who you are—this is all you need to be. Remember that you make your day what it is. Breathe, you are alive. Love. That is all there has to be in your life.
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I’ve made some amazing and lasting relationships that I couldn’t be more thankful for. There is just so much we share in common, even if only the experience we are going through. I relate to these other volunteers on a level I couldn’t have dreamed of before, especially for only having known them for 7 months. It’s pretty great. I’ve been enjoying more and more my time with Guatemalans, feeling just a little bit more comfortable being myself each day. They’re so open – when I feel bad about something they say, “what does it serve you to feel bad about it? Don’t worry about it.” So wonderful.
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I never cease to be amazed at how lucky I am to have so many people at home thinking of me. Needless to say I feel very loved and very blessed to have such beautiful people in my life. It keeps me going, especially on those bad days, to know that you are there. I love you, thank you for everything.
